Chapter 78 (None)

Judging from Consort Zhao's reaction, Jiang Ling's suggestion was like a godsend. Her desire to raise the Fourth Prince was crystal clear.

Jiang Ling initially greeted Consort Lin according to custom, unaware that Consort Zhao was also in the reed shed with her. Her words were impromptu, but given Consort Lin's mention of the Fourth Prince's first birthday, it was likely not the case.

The Great Yin Dynasty ruled the realm with filial piety in mind. Therefore, a prince's first birthday celebration should not be a grand affair. A private ceremony, simply for good luck, would suffice.

Consort Lin deliberately brought it up during Consort Zhuang's funeral, which, given her intelligence, seemed a bit too hasty.

Jiang Ling quickly figured out the key to the matter: Consort Zhao wanted the Fourth Prince through Consort Lin, and Consort Lin was simply going along with it. With a prince in hand, the person most furious with Consort Zhao should be Consort Zhao De.

While the two sisters fought, Consort Lin could simply sit back and watch them fight, reaping the benefits in the process.

For Consort Lin, the Third Prince was barely walking and couldn't even speak clearly, while the Fourth Prince was not yet a year old. The Second Prince, who was of similar age, was the greatest threat at present.

Moreover, since the incident involving Consort Li, Consort Zhao has kept a low profile and rarely seen, devoting herself entirely to raising the Second Prince.

Consort Lin was the same; raising the eldest prince well was her most important task. Both were intelligent and evenly matched, but Consort Zhao's inaction and lurking presence made Consort Lin more wary than her taking any action.

"It was indeed hard for Consort Hui to raise two princes. When they were young and active, she had to keep a close eye on them."

Consort Lin reacted quickly and soon returned to normal, saying to Consort Zhao, "Alas, the Fourth Prince lost his mother at a young age, how pitiful. Now that the Second Princess has grown up and become sensible, you should put in more effort. She must observe mourning for her mother, and good fortune and peace are also essential."

Consort Zhao quickly suppressed her joy and said, "Noble Consort and Consort Hui, rest assured, I will prepare everything that is necessary."

Consort Lin's quick agreement suggested she was aligned with Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling's feelings were quite complex. They never openly broke ties; they could be enemies or allies, their smiles masking their calculations.

Jiang Ling sat for a while before taking his leave and returning to Fanying Pavilion. The Third Prince ran happily in the courtyard, leaning to one side, while the Fourth Prince clung to Yunxia's leg, his eyes following the Third Prince closely, grinning foolishly in agreement.

Since the Fourth Prince came to Fanying Pavilion, Jiang Ling has taken care of his every need, but she has never held him even once.

Looking at his innocent and childlike smile in the spring sunshine, and the cold coffin in the Xiefang Pavilion, Jiang Ling sighed in her heart. She stepped forward, knelt down in front of the Fourth Prince, and stroked his palms and the back of his hands.

"It's getting a bit hot. Take off your thick padded jacket later," Jiang Ling instructed, and Yunxia quickly agreed.

Just as Jiang Ling was about to get up, she met the Fourth Prince's dark, clear eyes. He stared at her intently, grabbed her skirt with his small hand, and called out, "Mother."

The Third Prince would call out Jiang Ling's name hundreds of times a day. Although no one had taught the Fourth Prince, they were often together and he learned it from them.

Jiang Ling felt a pang of sadness and reached out her hand. The Fourth Prince immediately threw himself into her arms. Smelling the faint milky scent emanating from him, Jiang Ling did not hesitate to pick him up and unbutton his thick coat: "It's too hot. Let it cool off for a while."

Consider it a birthday gift for his first birthday, and a consolation for his mother's death when he was still young and unaware of the world.

"I'll take you to identify the flowers." Jiang Ling pointed to the abundant blooming flowers and plants in the courtyard, identifying them one by one, just like when she took the Third Prince before.

The fourth prince clung tightly to Jiang Ling's clothes, excitedly following Jiang Ling's directions, then hurriedly looked at the third prince, muttering something indistinctly.

The Third Prince seemed to understand the Fourth Prince's words. Now that he was at an age where even dogs disliked him, he clearly and loudly refused, "No!"

Jiang Ling glared at the Third Prince with annoyance, then said softly to the Fourth Prince, "Let's go rest over there for a while. The sun is too strong. We'll have some water later."

Although they were infants, regardless of whether they could understand, Jiang Ling would explain everything she did. The corridor was shady and had a wide view, overlooking the lively courtyard. Jiang Ling carried the Fourth Prince to sit down and said, "Yunxia, ​​go and get some water."

Yunxia went about her business, and Jiang Ling had the Fourth Prince sit on her lap. She lifted his tiger-head turban and said, "Oh dear, your hair is all wet. Let me smell it." She leaned closer and smelled a sour odor. She couldn't help but feign disgust and laugh, "Oh dear, it stinks."

When the Fourth Prince saw her smile, he smiled along, revealing his fine, white teeth and eyes brighter than the sun.

Yunxia brought over some water, and Jiang Ling tested the temperature before feeding him a small half-cup. Seeing the Third Prince bending over to pull at the peonies in the flowerpot, she quickly stopped him, saying, "Quickly, catch him here!"

A'Ruo stepped forward and grabbed the Third Prince's arm. He cried out and struggled, twisting his body. Jiang Ling was not used to giving in to him. A'Ruo, having received instructions, grabbed him under the armpits and lifted him up.

The third prince kicked his legs in the air a few times, found it fun, and immediately dropped Peony, kicking his legs incessantly, having a great time.

"Go and fetch some hot water. Take advantage of the nice weather and give them both a hair wash," Jiang Ling said to Yunxia, ​​loosely draping a turban over the Fourth Prince's head.

Yunxia went to get hot water, and Aruo carried the Third Prince to the corridor. When he saw Jiang Ling, he stretched out his little hand and shouted, "Mother, Mother!"

Jiang Ling chuckled and said, "Put him down." A'Ruo put the Third Prince on the ground, and he rushed to Jiang Ling like a little firecracker, reaching out to push the Fourth Prince, "Mother, hold me!"

The fourth prince swayed, and Jiang Ling quickly steadied him, freeing one hand to hug the third prince.

Startled, the Fourth Prince, who had been pouting and about to cry, nestled in Jiang Ling's arms with tears welling up in his eyes. The Third Prince, displeased that Jiang Ling was holding him, clung to her arm and climbed onto her lap like a monkey.

For a moment, Jiang Ling's hands were busy, and A'Ruo, afraid that the Third Prince would fall, picked him up and placed him on Jiang Ling's lap. The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince were both in Jiang Ling's arms, looking at each other and laughing inexplicably.

Laughter echoed in the spring sunshine. The sky stretched endlessly, and a colorful butterfly alighted on the stamen of a peony. After a while, the butterfly fluttered its wings and took flight, circling around them a few times before disappearing into the flowers and trees.

Today is the day of Consort Zhuang's funeral. Jiang Ling stared in the direction the butterfly had left, remaining motionless for a long time.

Yunxia and the others brought hot water and laid it out in the sun. Jiang Ling came to her senses and said, "Come on, you all go wash your hair."

The Third Prince was most sensitive to the word "wash," and upon hearing it, he immediately slipped to the ground like an eel and ran off on his short legs. A'Ruo and the others quickly chased after him, standing protectively to his left and right.

Anyway, he often took showers, and after a while he would be covered in sweat again, so Jiang Ling didn't care. He picked up the Fourth Prince and sat down, placing him on his lap. Seeing that the prince looked scared, he reached out to shield his eyes and gently comforted him, "Don't be afraid, you'll be done washing soon."

Yunxia dampened a cloth and gently wiped the Fourth Prince's head. He didn't struggle, his hands clenched into small fists, lying stiffly.

Jiang Ling lifted her hand a crack and said to him with a smile, "It won't smell bad if you wash it clean. Xiao Zhou doesn't wash, he's a stinky baby."

As Jiang Ling spoke gently and cheerfully, the Fourth Prince gradually relaxed, yawned, his eyelids drooped, and he drifted into a deep sleep.

"Hurry up and dry him off," Jiang Ling whispered to Yunxia, ​​pulling the Fourth Prince's thick coat tighter.

Yun Hui also stepped forward to help, gently wiping the water off the Fourth Prince's head.

At this moment, Emperor Yuanming walked over and saw the basin cloth in the courtyard. A smile appeared on his face, and he exclaimed, "What are you doing at this time? Little Zhou is being naughty again, running around all sweaty?"

Jiang Ling, unable to carry the Fourth Prince comfortably, bowed slightly to greet him and whispered, "He's asleep, Your Majesty, please keep your voice down."

Emperor Yuanming tiptoed forward and was taken aback when he saw that Jiang Ling was holding the fourth prince. He looked at them with a complicated expression.

The fourth prince dried his hair, put on a clean turban, and Jiang Ling carried him back to the house, placing him in the cradle. He immediately woke up, opening his eyes wide to look at her. Jiang Ling gently coaxed him, and soon the fourth prince fell asleep.

Jiang Ling told Yunxia and the others to stay and then got up to leave the side room. Emperor Yuanming stood motionless in front of the door. Jiang Ling stopped and stepped aside, asking, "Does Your Majesty wish to come inside?"

"I'm not going in." Emperor Yuanming turned and left, his hands behind his back, glancing sideways at Jiang Ling as he walked: "Why did you suddenly decide to wash his hair?"

"It's hot, and he's sweating buckets; his head smells terrible. Let's take advantage of the good weather and give him a wash." Jiang Ling glanced at Emperor Yuanming, inwardly thinking he was making a fuss over nothing, but still explained earnestly.

Emperor Yuanming smiled but remained silent. He often saw Jiang Ling holding the Third Prince, but had never seen her hold the Fourth Prince. Although he felt somewhat uncomfortable, he considered that she was not the Fourth Prince's biological mother, and it was only natural for her to show some favoritism. If he were to blame her, given her bad temper, she might, in a fit of anger, refuse to raise the Fourth Prince.

"Where's Xiao Zhou..." Emperor Yuanming asked the Third Prince. When he arrived at the main gate, he saw the Third Prince sitting on his little stool, munching on a pear strip. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "This kid, his little mouth never stops moving all day long."

Jiang Ling didn't reply. He went inside, sat down, picked up his teacup, and drank it all in one go. He exhaled and said, "I really don't have a moment's rest. I don't even have time to drink water."

Emperor Yuanming said with concern, "Let the servants do it; they'll get tired."

"How can I not worry?" Jiang Ling put down her teacup, gently rubbing her arm, and said, "Especially when I wash my hair or take a bath, I have to be coaxed by someone, for fear that I'll jump around and get water in my eyes and ears."

She chatted casually with Emperor Yuanming, and then brought up the matter of Consort Zhuang's funeral. "The Fourth Prince's first birthday is coming soon. It is not appropriate to celebrate during the mourning period, lest he be accused of being unfilial. However, he will be included in the family genealogy and given a formal name on his first birthday. The traditional 'grasping ceremony' is also necessary, mainly for good luck, hoping that he can grow up safely and peacefully."

Emperor Yuanming nodded and said, "You have considered everything thoroughly. The baby's first birthday celebration is essential. Go and make the preparations. I have already chosen a name for him. He will be born in the Yun generation and his name will be Lang. Uncle Jiu will preside over the ceremony and record it in the family genealogy."

He paused slightly, then smiled and said to Jiang Ling, "The Fourth Prince has been by your side since he was a child. This time, when he is recorded in the family genealogy, he will be registered under your name."

Ninth Uncle, Prince Xian, is the highest-ranking prince in the Xiao imperial family, in charge of the Grand Clan Court and all affairs of the royal family.

Jiang Ling cursed inwardly but politely declined, saying, "Your Majesty, there are many people in the palace. The Fourth Prince is too young to remember now, but he will know when he grows up that I am not his biological mother. Consort Zhuang risked her life to give birth to the Fourth Prince. He should remember this immense kindness. How could I dare to take credit for it?"

After finishing his pear strips, the Third Prince went to the threshold and silently lifted his short legs, trying to climb over. Jiang Ling saw this, took a few steps forward, picked him up, and handed him to A'Ruo who came to greet him.

"As Your Majesty has seen, Xiao Zhou cannot be left alone for even a moment after he learned to walk. It's not that we're afraid he'll fall, but we're afraid he'll be so quick that he'll put pebbles in his mouth. Even though there are palace maids around, if he doesn't see me for a while, he'll start crying and looking for me."

Jiang Ling stood by the door, watching the Third Prince try to squeeze through the gap in the corridor railing. He shook his head and said helplessly, "I really don't have the time, so I entrusted the Fourth Prince's first birthday celebration to Consort Zhao. Consort Zhao has raised the Second Princess to be exceptionally intelligent and graceful. As a royal princess, she shows no arrogance whatsoever, and everyone who sees her praises her. Your Majesty, it would be most suitable for the Fourth Prince to be raised under Consort Zhao's care."

From the moment Jiang Ling refused to register the Fourth Prince under her name, Emperor Yuanming sat upright in his armchair, saying nothing, his brows and eyes revealing a hint of displeasure.

At this moment, Emperor Yuanming finally couldn't contain his anger and said sternly, "What exactly has the Fourth Prince done to offend you that you dislike him so much! He has been raised by you since birth, and you've even raised amusing cats and dogs. You've grown close to him and can't bear to part with him, yet you can't wait to throw him out!"

He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, pointed at Jiang Ling, and angrily and sadly accused him: "When I saw you finally willing to hold the Fourth Prince, I thought you had changed your ways. Who would have thought that you were just putting on an act? What a cruel heart you have!"